VFL clubs circling Waverley Blue and Oakleigh Charger Josh Walker

From toiling away in school footy and the under-19s to piquing the interest of state league clubs, it’s been some rise by Waverley Blues livewire Josh Walker.

VFL clubs are circling one of the Eastern league’s brightest young stars.

Waverley Blues livewire Josh Walker has piqued the interest of state league outfits after enjoying a breakout season split between Eastern’s Division 2 and the Oakleigh Chargers.

Walker fired for the Blues across 11 matches this year, kicking 16 goals, with his early-season form catching the eye of the Coates Talent League club.

He donned the Chargers kit in May and didn’t look back, turning out six performances in the best among 11 games – including a final against the Eastern Ranges.

Oakleigh Chargers talent manager Alex Davey has fielded calls from VFL clubs on the inside midfielder-forward, whose season was highlighted by a 28-possession, two-goal display in Round 12 against the Western Jets.

Josh Walker fires off a handball for the Chargers. Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“Certainly, VFL clubs are very interested,” Davey said.

“The way he came in as a 19-year-old, he looked above the level with us and was able to play every game coming into a really talented region.

“Josh was able to come in off the back of some really strong senior football with the Waverley Blues and really impacted at Coates league level.”

Former Waverley Blues coach Tom Langford – who exited the role in September – spent half the pre-season at Port Melbourne, bringing Walker with him.

Langford, an ex-Borough and Tigers VFL player, said the emerging talent embraced the opportunity “like a duck to water”.

“To see the growth in him from session one to the final session pre-Christmas was fantastic,” Langford said.

“He’s a player with incredible natural ability and he’s blessed with two sides of things – one, he’s got the athleticism required, the spring and the speed, as well as being really strong through the hips.

“But then, he’s also got the incredible skill with his clean hands and his disposal.”

Davey declared Walker’s Round 12 masterclass as a pivotal moment in the teen’s prospects for higher honours.

“It was really impressive for a midfielder – I think he had eight inside-50s that day as well,” Davey said.

“That was when he went from someone that we saw as a quality Coates league player to someone that’s probably above the level and possesses some traits that could get into playing higher level footy, whether that’s at VFL or AFL level.

“We were really lucky – Tom Langford reached out to us earlier in the year and said we think we’ve got a kid that would be really well suited to come in as a 19-year-old … it was obviously a really good recommendation.”

Josh Walker unloads for the Chargers. Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Walker had previously been on the Chargers’ books, but the more-than-handy cricketer stepped away to pursue his interests with the bat and ball.

Langford admitted he wasn’t surprised at the young gun’s rise in his return, climbing from APS footy with Wesley College and under-19 level last year to one of the Blues’ first picked each week.

“He can play in multiple roles, so to see his development come along from what’s essentially APS footy last year with a few games in the Waverley ‘19s to be an absolute star in the senior side this year and some standout games at Coates level was really pleasing,” Langford said.

“For those that know Josh and his background, it wasn’t surprising – he’s always been a standout, but I think the most important thing this year for Josh was to learn a bit more about his footy philosophies, training standards and being exposed to really high levels and as close to professionals as possible.

“When Oakleigh came knocking, there was no surprise there – he was more than ready to play at that level.”